This year's International Gaming Summit featured a wide range of compelling topics, with discussion between industry thought-leaders and experts. Special thanks to all keynote speakers, moderators and panelists for supporting this year's Summit!

From its humble start driven by small casinos offering relying solely on gambling revenues, and giving away free drinks, rooms and meals, the gaming industry has reshaped itself into a dynamic international industry where revenues are earned from everything from standard casino offerings to online gambling, to world-class entertainment, restaurants and clubs, and even “play for fun” social games and e-Sports.

With so many different consumer options offered by global gaming companies, the definition of “gaming” is constantly changing and being redefined by cutting-edge advancements. Drawing on the wealth of experience gleaned during his 20+ year career in the gaming industry, Mitch Garber, CEO of Caesars Acquisition Company and Chairman of Cirque du Soleil, will share his insights into how Caesars leveraged its brand and shared assets to evolve from a traditional bricks and mortar casino company into a multi-faceted entertainment-focused business where the key revenue generators are entertainment and restaurants, not gaming. He will also share his thoughts on why the right answer is to avoid certain emerging offerings like daily fantasy sports and give his thoughts on what the future holds for gaming.

9:45 – 10:45 a.m.

Cashing in on Call of Duty - Is There a Way to Monetize eSports?Gambling on video games has grown unexpectedly and exponentially in the last three years. International video game tournaments have increased the visibility of eSports, as well as increased the opportunities for wagering not only on the winners of these tournaments, but on events that occur within the game. With the crackdown on illegal unregulated in-game and “skin” wagering, operators are now looking for ways to tap into the public desire to gamble on eSports. This panel will explore the opportunities and challenges inherent in monetizing this global phenomenon.

Where the Money Comes From: a Roundtable Review of How Gaming Industry Projects are FundedThanks to a wealth of new technologies and ways and places to play, the global gaming industry is constantly growing and evolving. With so much forward momentum, just how do new projects get the funding they need to successfully break into a highly competitive and diverse industry? Our blend of panelists represent the waterfront of capital structure and styles and will provide insight into what they look for when considering funding global gaming and hospitality industry projects. The topics they’ll address include providing a current view on the capital deployment sector across various funding styles, public versus private equity valuation trends, what debt/equity structure and credit pricing looks like for new casino resort development projects, M&A financing and what public and private deal flows look like today.

The Highs and Lows of Marijuana LegalizationWith the growing legalization of marijuana for medical, retail and recreational use, an increasing number of gaming jurisdictions are having to confront a wide range of related compliance, employment and ethical issues. In states like Nevada, marijuana legalization has created a federal versus state law issue, as the Nevada Gaming Control Board won’t license individuals who run medical marijuana dispensaries because even though it’s now legal in Nevada, it’s still illegal under Federal law. And, questions like “can you not hire someone who tests positive for marijuana use when it’s legal?” continue to be raised. This panel will explore these issues and more.

What are the unique regulatory issues of advising a startup technology company in the gaming industry? Given the growing intersection of technology and gaming, there are unique issues a tech startup company faces with regards to gaming licensing, especially when dealing with venture capital investors and angel investors who are accustomed to playing active roles in such startups but who need to balance those roles to be licensed. Our panel will review some of the challenges start-up companies can face as well as discuss how to implement an appropriate compliance program for such startups.

The Latest in Regulation of Online Skill Games and Online Sports Manager Games in the US and EUThis panel will discuss new regulatory approaches concerning online skill games in several US and EU states. In particular with recent regulations enacted in Malta and Germany indicating that daily fantasy sports will be subjected to existing online skill-based game regulations that are in place to protect the player, what does the future hold for these new ways to wager? This panel will discuss the recently enacted Maltese Skill Games Regulation of 24 January 2017, the EU E-Commerce directive and how other efforts in these areas could impact online sports manager games throughout Europe.

Moderated by Justin Franssen, Partner & Head of the Gaming Practice Group for Kalff Katz & Franssen, the confirmed panelists include:

The Impact of Negative Media Coverage on Global Gaming: A Roundtable Assessment coordinated by Global Gaming Women“Pataki: Online gambling will fuel terrorism, organized crime.” “Casino-linked crime up 19 pct in 2016: Macau police.” “New ISIS Video Includes Las Vegas Strip Footage.” “How Casinos Enable Gambling Addicts.” With headlines like these appearing around the world in mainstream media, how does the gaming industry work together to address misleading public perceptions about gambling in all its forms? With extensive industry multi-jurisdictional efforts focused on anti-money laundering safeguards, responsible gaming, and operator social responsibility, is there more that could be done to advocate for the benefits the industry provides to its surrounding communities? Featuring an impressive lineup of industry notables, this panel will share their thoughts on these issues and more.

Sara Slane, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs, American Gaming Association

2:15 – 3:15 p.m.

Sports Betting: Time to Play the Trump Card?“The United States’ approach to sports betting lags behind Europe and other countries that effectively regulate a legal market. Today, at least $150 billion a year is wagered illegally on sports betting in the United States” - according to a memo sent by the American Gaming Association to President Trump’s transition team in support of its call for repeal of the federal sports betting prohibition imposed by the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992. With an existing legal challenge to that legislation by New Jersey and another rumored from New York, is such a repeal now on the horizon? This panel will provide delegates with an update on this key issue and explain the manner in which concerns about sports betting integrity, accountability and strong consumer protections have been addressed in other jurisdictions and what remain or, have become, the greatest threats insofar as maintenance of such regulatory standards is concerned.

Moderated by David Clifton, a Founding Director of Clifton Davies Consultancy in London, the confirmed panelists include:

Lying, Cheating and Stealing – When What Happens in Vegas Doesn’t Stay in Vegas. An Ethical Guide for Gaming LawyersIn both the gaming and legal profession, cheating and stealing are ethically and legally wrong. But what about lying? Is there a difference between the gaming world and the legal world concerning lying? For example, in poker, lying or bluffing is a highly admired skill. But can lawyers lie or bluff? What do the ethics rules say about that? Are the rules different in different jurisdictions? Do the rules change if it is a private business negotiation or a negotiation with governmental or regulatory officials? This presentation will explore the ethical issues regarding honesty when a lawyer is required to represent a client zealously and required to follow the ethical conduct rules.

Thursday, June 1

"In the Future, Which is Now, Everyone Will Have 15 Minutes of Shame." A Keynote.Richard Torrenzano with an Introduction by Virginia McDowell, Chairwoman of Global Gaming Women

At laser speed, cyber-attacks destroy reputations, brands, businesses . . . even lives. They disrupt operations, staff moral and value. All of us—every CEO, celebrity, business executive, entrepreneur, physician, lawyer, journalist, educator, politician, parent and child -- are at risk of digital assassination. And those in the gaming industry are no exception.

Richard Torrenzano is a sought-after expert and leading commentator on crisis, brands, reputation and social media. www.torrenzano.com . He co-authored the game changing, bestselling, award-winning book, Digital Assassination:Protecting Your Reputation, Brand, or Business Against Online Attacks, published by St. Martin’s Press-Macmillan.

His keynote will reveal how the Internet is used to destroy brands, reputations, even lives. He exposes strategies digital assassins deploy and defines ways to turn the tables on their deception. And, he will explain what is happening on the Internet, why it is happening and what actions you need to protect your brand, company and good name.

9:30 – 10:30 a.m.

When Worlds Collide: the Intersection Between Player Data and Data Privacy and Protection In today’s high-tech, digital world, gaming operators, equipment manufacturers and customers are increasingly having to confront a wide range of cybersecurity and data protection issues. With new gaming products and services that incorporate location technology contained within consumer smart phones giving them the ability to continually gather player behavioral data and use it for personalized, targeted marketing and future product and service development, what are the hidden dangers / threats posed by this unprecedented wealth of data? This panel will explore everything from data storage and access issues, the criticality of privacy notices and player / user consent.

Don't Gamble With Your Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Compliance ProgramWhether it’s the latest best practices from the American Gaming Association, recent guidance from the US Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) casino AML developments, new requirements emanating from the implementation of the European Union’s Fourth Money Laundering Directive, or insight into the new AML initiatives underway in Macau resulting from the PRC’s focus on reducing illegal transactions, the gaming industry stands at the forefront of ongoing global efforts targeting illicit proceeds that may enter the financial system. This session will address the latest developments in AML compliance efforts initiatives worldwide, looking at everything from the recent FATF Mutual Evaluation Report of the United States to regulatory examination priorities, to the priorities of the new Trump administration and its impact on AML regulatory regime.

Moderated by Carl Fornaris, Shareholder & Co-Chair of the Financial Practice Group for Greenberg Traurig, the confirmed panelists include:

Sarah Runge, Director of the Office of Strategic Policy for Terrorist Financing and Financial Crimes, U.S. Department of the Treasury

Jessica Weisman, Special Agent,Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Lunch Including Breakout Sessions

The Rapidly Changing Lottery LandscapeWith rapidly changing technology impacting all aspects of gaming, lottery operators and product suppliers are facing new challenges to how they operate, especially when they factor in responsible gaming and AML concerns and challenges. With jurisdictions like New York debating the risks and rewards related to online lottery ticket sales and licensed online betting companies like Lottoland introducing new products that allow players to bet on lottery results, what’s next for the industry’s lottery segment? This panel will discuss these issues and more.

Robert Williams, Deputy Secretary for Gaming, New York State Gaming Commission

Redefining the Casino Floor - the Impact and Potential of Skill-based GamesWalk around an Atlantic City slot floor today, and you just might see an array of new machines offering everything from puzzle-based games to titles you might be more accustomed to seeing in a video game arcade. Targeting millennials, these machines offer variable payouts allowing more skilled players a higher chance to win. With California and Nevada beginning to offer these new products as well, and other jurisdictions close behind, what does this mean for traditional slot-based content where players all have the same chance to win over time? And, does this shift in game development focus mean that we could see similar changes in other traditional gaming types as well? The panel will discuss these issues and more.

The Changing Ways We Can Pay to PlayThe coming together of various casino systems that allow players to pay for entertainment and resort services in whatever form they prefer is radically shifting the way global gaming operators can approach financial transactions. This shift in technological capabilities, along with a favorable shift in both regulatory and network environments, has the potential to revolutionize the “money” side of the business with game-changing efficiencies, tighter controls and higher player visibility. This diverse panel will discuss the ups and downs of these advancements while considering the impact they’re having on bricks and mortar casinos in particular.

Where the Money Goes: a Roundtable Review of How the Gaming Industry Uses Financial Industry ResourcesWith multi-billion dollar integrated casino development projects becoming commonplace and operator and manufacturer consolidations creating super companies, what are some of the current financing trends making these projects possible? How do REIT’s factor into the equation, and what impact do they have on the related operations? This global panel of financial industry experts will discuss these topics and more while evaluating the impact that gaming regulatory oversight requirements have on funding considerations.

Carl Sottosanti, Executive Vice President & General Counsel, Penn National

2 – 3 p.m.

Social Responsibility, Consumer Focus and the Future Success of the International Gambling IndustryIn today’s rapidly expanding global gaming industry, how does enhanced social responsibility and heightened consumer focus impact gambling revenues and their long term sustainability? Do consumers have trust and confidence in the industry’s ability to provide a gambling experience enhanced by modern safeguards that protect “at risk” players, or are their perceptions unfairly shaped by negative stories, relating to problem gambling, misleading advertising and unfair treatment of consumers and the like? And, what can the industry do proactively to demonstrate its commitment to implementing a wide range of initiatives and technologies designed to secure public and legislative confidence while supporting industry growth and profitability? This panel will explore what is currently being done across the gaming social responsibility spectrum, paying particular attention to advancements in jurisdictions like the United Kingdom while considering the lessons to be learned from the automotive, alcohol and tobacco industries.

Moderated by John Hagan, a Partner with Harris Hagan and the Deputy Chairman of GamCare, the confirmed panelists include:

Avoiding Ethical Landmines When Advising Gaming Clients Doing Business in Foreign JurisdictionsThis presentation will address two ethical issues that gaming lawyers routinely face: first, how to navigate effectively different conflicts laws in different states when advising clients that operate in multiple jurisdictions, and second, the ethical issues that United States-based lawyers face when advising clients transacting in foreign jurisdictions.